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Post by bnsf971 on Aug 12, 2012 4:04:06 GMT -8
As many of you know, I've replaced my brand-new Zephyr Xtra on my layout with what I pieced together into a Super Empire Builder. Since I don't want to toss a $250 piece of equipment in the trash, I decided I would use it as another throttle. Digitrax says it can be done easily, but their directions on how to do things can be a little, umm, sketchy. So, in the interests of adding activity to the forum, along with accumulating additional info here, as well as the fact I am too lazy to Google the info  , has anybody else done this without blowing up their equipment? |
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Post by rhpd42002 on Aug 12, 2012 5:48:01 GMT -8
As many of you know, I've replaced my brand-new Zephyr Xtra on my layout with what I pieced together into a Super Empire Builder. Since I don't want to toss a $250 piece of equipment in the trash, I decided I would use it as another throttle. Digitrax says it can be done easily, but their directions on how to do things can be a little, umm, sketchy. So, in the interests of adding activity to the forum, along with accumulating additional info here, as well as the fact I am too lazy to Google the info , has anybody else done this without blowing up their equipment? LOLOL, Terry, After ALL the frustration you went through with your Zephyr, I'd hate to see you "blow it up", too!!  Like you, I know it can be done, but I've never done it and not sure I could explain it, even after reading the instructions on how to do so. I don't own a Zephyr, though I keep intending to get one for my portable layout. However, $250 is a bit steep for powering a 3' x 4' layout.  |
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Post by bnsf971 on Aug 12, 2012 12:22:10 GMT -8
I don't own a Zephyr, though I keep intending to get one for my portable layout. However, $250 is a bit steep for powering a 3' x 4' layout. I happen to have one I might be persuaded to let go. I'll make you such a deal...  |
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Post by rhpd42002 on Aug 12, 2012 13:30:58 GMT -8
LOLOLOL!!! Thanks, Terry!! ;D |
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Post by bnsf971 on Aug 17, 2012 8:54:59 GMT -8
Okay, briefly, a portion of the layout needs to be isolated from the rest of it. The Zephyr gets hooked to that part, and it is configured as a booster, and connected through the locomet to the other system. The throttle on the Zephyr is now an additional throttle for the system, and you can no longer use the Zephyr to program.
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Post by rhpd42002 on Aug 18, 2012 4:16:26 GMT -8
Terry, did you do this to use the Zephyr as a throttle in a yard or as a separate RR on the same layout?
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Post by bnsf971 on Aug 18, 2012 15:01:36 GMT -8
Terry, did you do this to use the Zephyr as a throttle in a yard or as a separate RR on the same layout? I am in the process of doing this to the engine servicing facility. Several tracks, a dedicated throttle that can double as a second throttle for the rest of the layout, I can shut it down to keep the electrical stress off the decoders sitting in the roundhouse and fueling areas. Also, when the Zephyr folds up like a cheap deck of cards, it won't impact the rest of the layout. |
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Post by rhpd42002 on Aug 18, 2012 19:07:52 GMT -8
Terry, did you do this to use the Zephyr as a throttle in a yard or as a separate RR on the same layout? I am in the process of doing this to the engine servicing facility. Several tracks, a dedicated throttle that can double as a second throttle for the rest of the layout, I can shut it down to keep the electrical stress off the decoders sitting in the roundhouse and fueling areas. Also, when the Zephyr folds up like a cheap deck of cards, it won't impact the rest of the layout. Terry, My layout is too small to have much of an engine facility, but I do have a 7 track yard that can hold from between 75 to 90 cars, depending on style and length. It's also too small for me to feel the need to have a separate power distirict. At the moment, I have two, of Digi's older, plug in throttles and of course a radio control compatible DT-400. Just need to break down and buy a Radio control receiver/antenna. I used it a lot when I belonged to a club. I do hope your Zephyr holds up under it's new use. Unless I can find a reasonably priced, older style, Zephyr, I'm guessing a "new" model is out of the question for my portable layout. |
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Post by bnsf971 on Aug 19, 2012 11:46:42 GMT -8
I am in the process of doing this to the engine servicing facility. Several tracks, a dedicated throttle that can double as a second throttle for the rest of the layout, I can shut it down to keep the electrical stress off the decoders sitting in the roundhouse and fueling areas. Also, when the Zephyr folds up like a cheap deck of cards, it won't impact the rest of the layout. Terry, My layout is too small to have much of an engine facility, but I do have a 7 track yard that can hold from between 75 to 90 cars, depending on style and length. It's also too small for me to feel the need to have a separate power distirict. At the moment, I have two, of Digi's older, plug in throttles and of course a radio control compatible DT-400. Just need to break down and buy a Radio control receiver/antenna. I used it a lot when I belonged to a club. I do hope your Zephyr holds up under it's new use. Unless I can find a reasonably priced, older style, Zephyr, I'm guessing a "new" model is out of the question for my portable layout. My engine facility consists of 4 tracks. Three to the backshop, and one outdoor track. I used to have a three stall turntable and roundhouse on that real estate, but my brand-new Walthers turntable released its magic smoke the day I installed it. I removed it and the roundhouse, and installed the backshop in that spot. I am beginning to notice a trend in modern electronic items for model railroads. As for the Zephyr, the DCS50 is a good, rugged, simple, reliable piece of equipment. The DCS51, not so much. |
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Post by bnsf971 on Sept 23, 2012 5:25:32 GMT -8
Well, after 6 weeks of running my layout like this, I will tentatively say it is working. In booster mode, the Zephyr doesn't seem to exhibit the over-sensitive shut down behavior it did as a stand-alone system. I have re-connected it to my programming track, and when I want to program and read back, I simply reconfigure it as a command station, unplug the Loconet cable, program and test the engine I am working on, then set it back. It takes longer to tell than it does to do it.
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Post by rhpd42002 on Sept 24, 2012 9:26:20 GMT -8
Terry, It's good to hear that the Zephyr is at least performing it's other functions quite well.
Just a shame it can't/won't perform it's primary function properly.
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Post by bnsf971 on Sept 24, 2012 14:42:29 GMT -8
Terry, It's good to hear that the Zephyr is at least performing it's other functions quite well. Just a shame it can't/won't perform it's primary function properly. Yes, kind of like other than it sank, the Titanic was a pretty good ship... ;D |
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Post by rhpd42002 on Sept 24, 2012 15:08:14 GMT -8
Terry, It's good to hear that the Zephyr is at least performing it's other functions quite well. Just a shame it can't/won't perform it's primary function properly. Yes, kind of like other than it sank, the Titanic was a pretty good ship... ;D ;D LOLOLOL ;D |
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, has anybody else done this without blowing up their equipment?
